Well here we are, the first day of 2017. Time for resolutions, no? Nope. Not this years. You see, I’ve already started on my resolutions; I started them on November 10. As the numbness of the election results started to wear off and the realization that our country elected a divisive con artist, I decided the only way foreword was to make some personal changes as a way to cope with the inevitable train wreak headed our way. I decided that day that I would refuse to allow this cartoon villain to define what it means to be an American, at least for me. Wow, did I come up with quite the list!
As I took stock of my values and worldview, it became clear that my resolutions would involve a lot of personal growth and daily self-reflection. Oh yes, I have a few outwardly looking goals, but these can only enhance the changes I want to see in myself.
Become better informed, but question everything. If we have collectively learned anything from 2016, it’s that there is a lot of misinformation being fed to us, so much so that it’s harder and harder to distinguish fact from fiction. Couple that with the fear and anxiety expressed by those who buy into every reported ‘fact” and you find yourself overloaded with the raw emotions and negative energy coming from all directions. Since November 10th, I have worked hard to either calm friend’s fears and point them to obvious facts or shrug their energy off. This has led me to double check myself, and my reaction to news and articles. I am not a huge fan of the late Christopher Hitchens, but I’ve decided to take two of his quotes to heart.
“I’m more inclined to doubt something if its truth would be something that would suite me.” That which sounds “right” to me will be the first thing I research.
“What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof.” I will no longer argue with anyone who comes to the discussion without proof or facts. I will dismiss what they say and move on. No explanation by me is required.
Learning to draw boundaries and learn to say No without feeling bad. This is one that a lot of women struggle with. I thought I had overcome my inability to draw personal lines but I was wrong. I still consider other people’s needs over mine. This has really hit home recently and has caused me to feel ill at ease in my own home. No more. Along with shutting out the negative “truth” seekers, I am drawing a thick boundary line between myself, and those who take advantage of my softer side. I’ve made some progress already, as I have weeded several people out of my life that found sport in my “weakness”.
Know my worth. Yes, as I mentioned in a previous post, I did pass the state test needed to work my way up the ladder, but did I get the promotion I was going for? No. But not because I was the least qualified but because it’s not always what you know, it’s who you know. But instead of being bitter for being passed over for a job that I am oh so very capable of doing, I am looking at the positives; I learned once again, that I am smarter than I give myself credit for, and after a pep talk by my manager, learned that I have a lot of job skills other state departments value. Instead of bemoaning the unfair hiring practices the state sometimes engages in, I rewrote my resume, highlighting my many skills. I am confident that soon I will advance because I am learning my worth. 2016 was the year I conquered my math phobia; completed my first professional book editing job; broke off a relationship that had me giving more than I was getting and started to let go of my negative outlook.
Things I want to do in 2017
Read more, binge- watch TV less. Sorry Netflix, but our close relationship is over. You and will remain friends, but I think it’s time for some me time. Over the past two years my eyesight has diminished. My doctor tells me it is time for a left eye lens replacement. I’ve put it off long enough. This is the year I stop being a baby about and just get it done! Reading is far too important to me to let my fear of eye surgery keep me from doing what I love the most.
Have more fun. I don’t know what the coming year has in store for us as a nation, but I am determined to get out more and explore my surroundings. My friends and I have make a pact to try new things and find new hobbies.
Be a more engaging online friend. I do try to keep up with my online community, but often feel I don’t engage as much as I should. There are a lot of lovely, warm individuals (especially you who are reading this) that I dearly appreciate. I want to become even better friends and make deeper connections.
Be happy with what I have and stop stressing. This is something I tend to do anyway, but I will double my efforts to look on the bright side and remember I could be much more worse off. I tend to play that “what if” game without really doing anything about it. I know I cannot just turn off my anxiety button, but I can make an effort to change what needs to be changed in order to mitigate my fears about the future. This includes getting a better handle on my finances, and make some kind of plan for the future instead of just worrying about it.
Yes I plan on writing more, eat less and get into better shape, but don’t we all on January 01?
Speaking of your plans, do tell me in the comment section if you’ve made any resolutions. As always, I love to hear from you!
P.S.
I don’t know about you, but I miss the yearly WordPress review that shows how our blog has done over the past 12 months. I did my own review and found that during Shakespeare week I averaged almost 2,000 visitors per day! Looks like we have a winner as far as posts go, so now I know what the majority of my visitors like.
Happy New Year!!!
The View From Sari's World 
Love it Sari! Are you psychic? Many of the things that you said here are exacly the things that I needed to hear. God bless! And a happy 2017!
Oné
(:-D
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And here I figured the absence of a 2016 WordPress review was because of the lengthy gaps in my posting this year on my two major blogs. So they didn’t do it at all? Sigh. Then again, while a lot of the information was interesting, it didn’t actually affect me in any way.
I have NO 2017 resolutions yet, because I came down with a head cold on the 30th that still has me drinking (water) heavily. Probably the sanest resolution will be to look at why 2016’s goals were missed completely, and make changes to prevent that from happening again. Care of an aged parent, one’s own health care, one’s writing, one’s research, and one’s teaching: do a better job this year, mate, while watching out for the political storm clouds!
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I’m not really fussed about the artificiality of New Year resolutions so I really approve that you chose the most opportune moment to change your future direction, that time of collective wilful blindness in November. If I had made any resolutions they would pretty much resemble yours! Anyway, positivity is really the best way to get through the immediate future yawning before us as the world shifts alarmingly on its axis.
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I think that for many people Jan. 01 is a target date to “reset” their goals. But I agree, I never understood when someone said, “Oh come the new year I am going to (fill in the gap)”. Why not start the day you realize change is needed?
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